Johnson, 25, has appeared in 146 career NHL games spanning four seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders (2003-08), collecting 21 assists, 28 points and 123 penalty minutes. The Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia, native has notched one assist and four penalty minutes in two games with Rockford this season.

Last year, Johnson tallied two assists and 30 penalty minutes in 30 games with the New York Islanders before signing with the Blackhawks on July 15, 2008.